Published: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 9:59 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 9:59 p.m.

VENICE - A paving company that lost out on a job at Venice Municipal Airport is going to court to stop the $7.2 million runway paving project.

Asphalt Paving Systems is suing the city and Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., the contractor on the project, claiming that the city changed the bid specifications after the paving contract had been awarded.

The lawsuit says the changes allowed for the repaving project will result in “a vastly inferior product” at the airport, and taxpayers will end up “paying more for less.”

In court documents, Asphalt's attorney, James S. Myers of Tampa, says that the city's contract with Owen-Ames-Kimball should be declared “null and void.”

In May, the city issued an invitation for bids on a taxiway improvement project at Venice Municipal Airport.

Bidders were supposed to use a resurfacing process called “cold recycled bituminous base course” — or “CRBBC.”

After getting the contract, Owen-Ames-Kimball reportedly decided to use a subcontractor who lacked equipment needed for CRBBC work, instead of Asphalt Paving, which says it notified Owen-Ames-Kimball that it had the proper equipment.

The city later allowed Owen-Ames-Kimball to instead go with a less expensive paving process in which it could use cement “in lieu of the specified bituminous materials,” the lawsuit states.

Asphalt Paving contends the changes will result in “a vastly inferior product.”

Venice resident John Patten joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff representing city taxpayers.

The plaintiffs also argue that, because the cost of the project was not adjusted, the change in specifications will result in “a windfall” for Owen-Ames-Kimball.

Phone messages left with Owen-Ames-Kimball's Fort Myers office and with Venice city attorney Robert Anderson were not returned during business hours Thursday.

<p><em>VENICE</em> - A paving company that lost out on a job at Venice Municipal Airport is going to court to stop the $7.2 million runway paving project.</p><p>Asphalt Paving Systems is suing the city and Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., the contractor on the project, claiming that the city changed the bid specifications after the paving contract had been awarded.</p><p>The lawsuit says the changes allowed for the repaving project will result in “a vastly inferior product” at the airport, and taxpayers will end up “paying more for less.”</p><p>In court documents, Asphalt's attorney, James S. Myers of Tampa, says that the city's contract with Owen-Ames-Kimball should be declared “null and void.”</p><p>In May, the city issued an invitation for bids on a taxiway improvement project at Venice Municipal Airport.</p><p>Bidders were supposed to use a resurfacing process called “cold recycled bituminous base course” — or “CRBBC.”</p><p>After getting the contract, Owen-Ames-Kimball reportedly decided to use a subcontractor who lacked equipment needed for CRBBC work, instead of Asphalt Paving, which says it notified Owen-Ames-Kimball that it had the proper equipment.</p><p>The city later allowed Owen-Ames-Kimball to instead go with a less expensive paving process in which it could use cement “in lieu of the specified bituminous materials,” the lawsuit states.</p><p>Asphalt Paving contends the changes will result in “a vastly inferior product.” </p><p>Venice resident John Patten joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff representing city taxpayers.</p><p>The plaintiffs also argue that, because the cost of the project was not adjusted, the change in specifications will result in “a windfall” for Owen-Ames-Kimball.</p><p>Phone messages left with Owen-Ames-Kimball's Fort Myers office and with Venice city attorney Robert Anderson were not returned during business hours Thursday.</p>